Unable to assemble the pedal

[biker99]

Hello,
After a really long wait, I just received my Concept2 Bike Erg.
I put it all together pretty easily but the last step of putting the right side pedal is a pain. I watched some online videos and everyone was able to screw in the pedal pretty easily.

My pedal screw is very very tight with a lot of maneuver and frustration with the wrench I was able to screw it halfway through but now it just doesn't go in.

Can someone help in putting the pedal together? What am I missing or doing wrong here?

Thanks.

[Citroen]

Left hand pedals have a left hand thread, so they unscrew clockwise.
Right hand pedals are normal and unscrew anticlockwise (US: counterclockwise).

[vepjan]

I had a really hard time getting mine on too. There is a blue blob on the thread that seems to bunch up and make it harder and harder the further it is turned. I ended up putting some oil on it and that made it possible but I was a sweaty mess afterward. If I had a steel brush I would have tried to brush the blue blob off.

[Carl Watts]

I'm picking the blue blob is a form of Loctite.

Its not really needed as the threads are "Self tightening" due to the direction of the pedal rotation on the shaft. Just s light nip with the right tool and you should be fine. Never had a problem on my road bike.

[Mark37217]

Hey guys, I'm having the exact same issue with a shipment I had just received 2 days ago (August 11th) directly from Concept 2.

After spending a lot of time figuring out why it wouldn't go in as easy as all the video assembly reviews I've seen on youtube etc. I tried to put the pedal in the opposite way: aka I attached it in the same orientation that the left pedal would be attatched....to my surprise, it actually fit in perfectly with almost no effort at all screwing it in.

This has caused me to believe that this particular batch sent out from Concept 2 actually contains 2 left pedals instead of 1 left and 1 right. Currently, I'm in the process of contacting them to alert them of the issue and get a right side pedal sent out to me, I suggest anyone with this issue do the same and not try to force the wrong sided pedal in as this will only damage the grooves on the stem.

[Mark37217]

**UPDATE AFTER CONTACTING**

The rep I spoke to said this was an issue they had received calls about. He told me that the pedal is in fact meant for the right side but sometimes doesn’t go in because there is too much loctite (blue coating on screw portion) applied to it. I was told to remove the loctite coating by dipping only that part of the pedal in rubbing alcohol for 5 min and then using a stiff bristle brush to remove the rest of it.

After doing this, I applied a few drops of 3-in-1 oil to the screw portion (as instructed) and after a little fiddling it managed to go in rather easily.

[ralfvd]

I had the same issue with the right pedal, too much loctite. At first, I was afraid the thread of the pedal wasn't good. Another pedal fit perfectly in the crankarm.

But a quick call to Concept2 revealed that it was indeed the loctite; they didn't explain the alcohol trick, so I spent an hour removing the loctite with a sharp knive. After that, it was still a bit difficult to get the pedal in, but it will fit.

[davidevans1]

I also have a Bikeerg direct from Concept 2 this week and am in the process of assembling. I haven’t got to the pedal yet but am really struggling getting the handlebar post ‘pushed’ through the front upright and black plastic insert.I’ve loosened the tension knob as far as it will go.
Any suggestions please?

[davebenet]

I ran into the same issue.

I was able to resolve the problem by using a 1/2 inch socket wrench to loosen the retaining nut inside the tension knob a couple of turns.

This loosened the sleeve enough to allow for normal adjustments.

[ben_r_]

I also have a Bikeerg direct from Concept 2 this week and am in the process of assembling. I haven’t got to the pedal yet but am really struggling getting the handlebar post ‘pushed’ through the front upright and black plastic insert.I’ve loosened the tension knob as far as it will go.
Any suggestions please?

Same, got my BikeErg a few days ago and I really had to force the handlebar post through the clamp. Only thing I can think is that plastic lining in the clamp expanded during shipping somehow and thats why its so tight. Once I did finally get it through I tightened down the clamp good and tight in the hopes that it will compress that black plastic insert making it easier to adjust the handlebars later.

[Griffin7]

Ordered the BikeErg Monday, got it yesterday. Assembly was a breeze even doing it myself... until I got to the right pedal.

Saw where others had the same issue. I’ve tried the alcohol and then using bristle brush. Tried the 3-in-1 oil and it still wouldn’t go. Even tried a little acetone soak.

When I do get it to go about halfway the pedal isn’t straight/level but rather is at an angle almost like the threads themself aren’t lining up. Anybody else have this issue while struggling?

[c2jonw]

Sounds like you got it cross threaded and may need to replace the crank arm. Last ditch trick to try- try carefully threading the pedal in from the inside of the crank arm- this may straighten the threads out enough so you can then remove the pedal and put it in the right way. Jon